Due to an overpopulation of puppies, the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA) has decided to waive adoption fees at its animal shelters this week in an effort to encourage people to bring these canine companions home.
According to the MSPCA, their shelters were originally designed to accommodate 180 puppies, but there are currently over 300 in need of homes, and recently the New York City Animal Care Center (NYACC) sent an additional 14 puppies to them.
From April 15 to 21, in celebration of the Boston Marathon, the MSPCA is hosting a special event called “Run, Walk, DOG!” where adoption fees for all dogs aged 6 months and older are waived. This policy applies to the organization’s four shelters in Massachusetts, including Boston, Methuen, Salem, and Centerville.
The organization hopes that this event will help over 100 puppies find new families. They particularly highlighted a 2-year-old puppy named “Dove.”
“She was found as a stray with a gunshot wound on her face. But Dove is very special and resilient. She underwent a successful surgery in South Carolina. Despite her traumas, the staff there said she is still lovely and affectionate,” said MSPCA Vice President Mike Keiley to the press.
He mentioned that the issue of too many puppies is a problem in many parts of the United States. The NYACC sending some puppies to Massachusetts is a result of this problem.
“Through this transportation, we hope to not only find more puppies new homes but also raise awareness of the sad reality of this crisis. This crisis perpetuates a misguided view that shelters are at fault in some way. But the truth is, they are doing everything they can to address this issue in their communities,” Keiley stated.